A man carrying a Palestinian flag caused a crash on the 15th stage of the Vuelta a España on Sunday when he ran toward the road as riders approached in the latest disruption to the major cycling race by anti-Israel protesters.

The protester tripped and did not quite make it to the road. He was apparently hiding from security as the riders approached with about 55 kilometers left in the 168-kilometer (104-mile) stage. A police officer also crossed the road in front of the riders after he saw the protester making his run on the other side.

Cyclists Javi Romo and Edward Planckaert went down moments after the man carrying the flag approached. Romo crashed just after he looked back at the protester. Planckaert fell while trying to avoid Romo.

Romo had part of his shorts ripped off and had to stop for a few moments before being able to rejoin the race. Planckaert got back on his bicycle and continued.

There have been a series of disruptions by pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protesters during the three-week Grand Tour race in........

© The Times of Israel